College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$48,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$56,471 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$52,179 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $48,000 | $77,000▲ | -$29,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,960 | $59,290▲ | -$22,330 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,440 | $98,560▲ | -$37,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,800 | $123,200▲ | -$46,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $56,471 | $62,097▲ | -$5,626 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $44,352 | $71,148▲ | -$26,796 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $52,179 | $57,377▲ | -$5,198 |
| Total Employment | 9,000 | 57,000 | -48,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $29,000 more (median: $48,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($56,471 vs $62,097 equivalent). El Paso, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.